"It's too good to be true, for their sake and our chance to evaluate them," said general manager Brian Sabean, who gets a rare chance to watch some future big-leaguers at a big-league facility. "It's early in the season, but you can always see things to influence your decision-making."

The games were moved to Pac Bell while the construction of Fresno's new stadium is completed. The Giants are selling tickets for lower-level seats, and they're somewhat pricey -- $15 for club level, $10 for general admission --

but that's what the Grizzlies plan to charge at their new place.

Crowds of 1,000 to 2,000 are expected for the three days (Wednesday is a doubleheader) against Nashville, a Pirates affiliate. Former Giant Salomon Torres, now a Pirates minor-leaguer, is scheduled to pitch tomorrow or Wednesday, but Torres isn't a selling point for the Giants.

Twenty-year-old Jerome Williams is the Giants' top pitching prospect now that Kurt Ainsworth is a big-leaguer; Williams will start the series opener. As a high schooler in Hawaii, Williams wasn't high on many teams' draft lists in 1999, but Dick Tidrow, vice president of player personnel, pushed hard for Williams, and he was selected 39th overall.

"He's on the fast track, one of the most talked-about guys in baseball," Sabean said. "The saving grace is, we've got a strong team and guys in front of him, so he can accelerate on the usual path."

Joe Nathan is scheduled to pitch Wednesday's first game, and Jason Schmidt on Thursday. It could be the final rehabilitation start for Schmidt, who could pitch for the Giants as early as April 23. First baseman Damon Minor is also on a rehab assignment with Fresno.

MISCELLANY: Shawon Dunston exited with a strained lower back after swinging and missing a pitch. He said he'll be available tonight. . . . Upon further review, catcher Benito Santiago said he expects to return to the lineup tonight after taking a ball off his right thumb Saturday. X-rays and a CT scan were negative, and he reported to work yesterday much improved. The fear was that he'd miss a few games. . . . Manager Dusty Baker is leaning toward tomorrow for shortstop Rich Aurilia's return to the lineup.